Bexsero (Meningococcal Group B Vaccine (Recombinant, Adsorbed))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Bexsero Used For?
Bexsero is a vaccine that helps protect against a serious bacterial infection called meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis Group B bacteria.
Primary Uses
Bexsero is used to immunize children from 2 months of age and older, adolescents, and adults to prevent meningococcal disease. This disease can cause meningitis (inflammation of tissues around the brain and spinal cord) or sepsis (blood poisoning). Meningococcal disease is very serious and sometimes fatal, and may cause permanent physical and neurological damage.
How It Works
Bexsero works by causing your body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against meningococcal bacteria. Your body usually takes a few weeks after receiving the vaccination to develop protection. When a vaccinated person comes into contact with these bacteria, the body is usually able to destroy them. However, like all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.
Good to know: The chance of a severe reaction from Bexsero is very small, but the risks from not being vaccinated against meningococcal disease may be very serious.
How to Receive Bexsero
Bexsero is given as an injection by your doctor or nurse. You cannot give this vaccine to yourself.
Dosage Instructions
The dose is 0.5 mL given as an injection into your upper arm or into the thigh muscle for children. It should not be injected directly into a blood vessel or under the skin. You or your child may need more than one dose – talk to your doctor or nurse for specific scheduling information.
Important: Your doctor or nurse may ask you to give your child fever-reducing medicines to help reduce some of the side effects of Bexsero.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Pain, redness, swelling, or hardness at injection site
- Fever (38°C or higher in children)
- Headache
- Painful muscles and joints
- Feeling irritable (in children)
- Loss of appetite (in children)
- Sleepiness (in children)
- Unusual crying (in children)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash
- General feeling of being unwell
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (swelling of limbs, face, eyes, mouth, throat; breathing difficulties; hives; severe skin reactions)
- High fever (40°C or higher in children)
- Seizures (including febrile seizures)
- Kawasaki disease symptoms
- Collapse or muscle floppiness
- Fainting
- Paleness or bluish skin discoloration
- Extensive swelling of vaccinated limb
- Blisters at injection site
Important Warnings
There are certain situations where Bexsero should not be given or requires special consideration.
Who Should Not Take Bexsero
Do not receive Bexsero if you or your child are allergic to Bexsero or any of its ingredients. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor or nurse if you or your child: are allergic to kanamycin (an antibiotic), have had allergic reactions to other vaccines, have a severe infection with high fever, have any medical conditions including immune system problems, take medicines for other conditions, have complement deficiencies or receive treatments that block complement activation, or if your child was born prematurely (before or at 28 weeks gestation).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or intend to breastfeed. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of receiving Bexsero during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Premature Babies: If your child was born prematurely, stopping breathing or irregular breathing for a short time may be more common in the first 3 days following vaccination and they may need special monitoring.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
- Other vaccines (can be given at the same time but in different injection sites)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough vaccines
- Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine
- Polio vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Measles, mumps, rubella vaccines
- Chickenpox vaccine
- Meningococcus A, C, W and Y vaccines
- Fever-reducing medicines (may be recommended by your doctor)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful before you drive or use machines or tools until you know how Bexsero affects you.
Driving and Operating Machinery
No studies have been performed on the effects of Bexsero on the ability to drive and use machines. However, you should be careful until you know how the vaccine affects you.
Storage
Bexsero will usually be stored at the doctor’s clinic or pharmacy. If you need to store it, keep it in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C. Keep it in the carton to protect from light. DO NOT FREEZE – freezing will destroy the vaccine. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight, and out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have been given too much Bexsero, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your body usually takes a few weeks after receiving the vaccination to develop protection against Neisseria meningitidis group B bacteria.
Yes, Bexsero may be given at the same time as other vaccines, but they must be injected into different arms or legs from the Bexsero injection site.
Fever is a common side effect. Your doctor may recommend giving your child fever-reducing medicines like paracetamol. Ask your doctor about fever risks and treatment before vaccination.
No, like all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed. Bexsero helps protect against Group B meningococcal disease but is not expected to provide protection against all circulating types.
A minor infection like a cold should not be a problem, but talk to your doctor or nurse before being vaccinated. If you have a severe infection with high fever, vaccination may need to be delayed.
Severe allergic reactions are rare but usually occur within the first few hours of vaccination. If you experience swelling, breathing difficulties, hives, or severe skin reactions, go to the Emergency Department immediately.
The effectiveness of Bexsero may be reduced in people with weakened immunity due to medications or genetic disorders. People with certain complement deficiencies may remain at risk even after vaccination. Discuss your specific situation with your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.